In the 2022-23 NSW Budget the state government has provided homeowners an option to defer their upfront stamp duty costs by paying an annual fee. This reform is only applicable to eligible first home buyers who are purchasing a home up to the value of $1.5 million. Instead of paying stamp duty (normally 3-4% of...Read More

Under the Privacy Act 1988, the COVID-19 vaccine status of any person is classified as sensitive health information. Employers have responsibilities and obligations in collecting and protecting this information provided by their staff. Requirements vary accordingly to the workplace involved but generally, if employers seek to collect this information, it must be reasonable and necessary...Read More

Owners’ corporation can no longer unreasonably prohibit pets from strata properties. On 25 August 2021 the legislation was amended to put end to blanket bans on residents keeping pets in strata premises. Owner’s Corporations can now only refuse the keeping of an animal if it ‘unreasonably interferes’ with another resident’s use and enjoyment of their...Read More

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has updated its guidance regarding directing employees to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Generally, employers can only require an employee to be vaccinated if:  there is a specific law requiring them to be vaccinated (for example a public health order); or the requirement is permitted by an enterprise agreement or employment contract;...Read More

From the 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021 there was an increase to the stamp duty threshold for the purchase of new homes and vacant land for first home buyers.  From 1 August 2021, the thresholds will now be: New homes  For new homes valued less than $650,000, no transfer duty is payable. For...Read More

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has published their focus areas for the year ahead. The Key Priority sectors are:  Fast food, restaurants and cafésHorticulture Sham contracting Large corporate underpayments Franchise agreements Contract cleaning The FWO confirmed it will focus on areas of public interest, where there is a blatant disregard of law, areas of significant scale or impact on...Read More

The Final Move to Paperless Conveyancing As of October 2021, physical Certificates of Title documents will be abolished, and the information contained in these documents contained electronically on the Torrens Title Register. The main impacts of this on landowners and purchasers are: all existing CTs will be cancelled and will no longer hold legal value;you...Read More

The Annual Wage Review Decision has been announced by the Fair Work Commission awarding a 2.5% increase to the minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage will be increased to $20.33 per hour and $772.60 per week, being a $18.80 weekly increase. The wage increase will apply from 1 July 2021 for most awards. There are...Read More

Following on from other states, a Bill was recently introduced to NSW parliament to amend the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 to include an offence of Manslaughter for workplace death (Work Health and Safety Amendment (Industrial Manslaughter) Bill 2021 (the Bill)). Current legislation addresses workplace deaths through the Crimes Act 1900, which involves no...Read More

Introduction Effective from 27 March 2021, new legislation has come into force which includes four main new amendments affecting casual employees, including: a long awaited statutory definition for a casual employee for purpose of the National Employment Standards;conversion pathway for casual employees becoming a full time or part time employee;provisions for setting off amounts payable...Read More